Principal Network Backbone & Edge Lead

Nscale; Greater London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base + equity

Flexible workplace

Job summary

Nscale in the United Kingdom is seeking a Regional Principal Network Backbone & Edge Lead to own the delivery, performance, and continuous improvement of our regional network infrastructure and connectivity services.

This hands-on technical leadership role will guide network engineers across core/optical, data centre connectivity, and service delivery, while serving as the primary regional escalation point and technical authority.

Qualifications

• 10+ years hands-on network engineering experience with leadership exposure.
• Experience with regional/national or multi-site infrastructure.
• Strong knowledge of data centre networking, WAN edge, and connectivity engineering.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end regional delivery of network infrastructure, including site builds, backbone expansions, and ongoing operations.
• Lead and develop network engineers across core/optical, DC connectivity, and service delivery.
• Set objectives, support career development, and build a high-performing engineering culture.
• Serve as primary escalation point for complex regional network incidents and service delivery issues.
• Maintain regional network performance against global SLA and KPI frameworks.
• Represent region in global network leadership discussions.

Skills

Network engineering

Leadership

Carrier management

Vendor management

BGP/VRF

Automation

Python scripting

Cloud networking

Tools

Nokia SR WAN

Megaport

Equinix Fabric

CI/CD

Job description

Nscale is the GPU cloud engineered for AI. We provide cost-effective, high-performance infrastructure for AI start-ups and large enterprise customers. Nscale enables AI-focused companies to achieve superior results by reducing the complexity of AI development. Our GPU cloud bolsters technical capabilities and directly supports strategic business outcomes, including cost management, rapid innovation, and environmental responsibility.

At Nscale, our AI Infrastructure team plays a critical role in building and operating the global network infrastructure that powers our GPU cloud platform.

We thrive on a culture of relentless innovation, ownership, and accountability, where every team member takes pride in their work and drives it with excellence and urgency. As an Nscaler, you'll build trust through openness and transparency, where everyone is inspired to do their best work. If you join our team, you'll be contributing to building the technology that powers the future.

About the Role

We are hiring a Regional Principal Network Backbone & Edge Lead to own the delivery, performance, and continuous improvement of Nscale's network infrastructure and connectivity services across a defined global region.

This is a hands-on technical leadership role. You'll lead network engineers across core/optical, data centre connectivity, and service delivery while acting as the primary escalation point and technical authority for your region.

You'll balance engineering execution with operational oversight, carrier and vendor management, customer engagement, and close collaboration with Sales, Product, Data Centre Operations, and global network teams.

Working closely with global Network Architecture, Network Platform, and Network Service Delivery teams, you'll ensure your region operates consistently with Nscale's global standards while meeting the specific commercial and operational needs of your market.

What you'll be doing

Regional Leadership & Delivery

Own end-to-end delivery of network infrastructure within your region, from new site buildouts and backbone expansions through ongoing operations, incidents, and capacity management.

Lead and develop network engineers across core/optical, DC connectivity, and service delivery disciplines.

Set objectives, support career development, and build a high-performing engineering culture.

Serve as the primary escalation point for complex regional network incidents and service delivery issues.

Maintain regional network performance against global SLA and KPI frameworks.

Represent your region in global network leadership discussions.

Network Engineering & Operations

Remain hands-on in the deployment, configuration, testing, and commissioning of network infrastructure.

Support Nokia SR WAN edge, cloud exchange connectivity, and carrier circuit delivery.

Oversee change management, maintenance windows, and capacity planning across regional network assets.

Maintain accurate infrastructure documentation including as-built designs, configuration records, and asset inventories.

Drive automation adoption in partnership with the Network Platform team.

Own senior technical relationships with carriers, wavelength providers, colocation partners, and equipment vendors.

Manage circuit delivery, service activation, and SLA performance across regional connectivity suppliers.

Partner with Sourcing and Commercial teams on carrier procurement, capacity planning, and supplier contract management.

Lead technical escalations with carriers and vendors to ensure timely resolution.

Engage directly with enterprise customers and hyperscalers on onboarding, connectivity design, technical due diligence, and ongoing service management.

Partner with regional Sales and Product teams on customer acquisition, pre-sales technical engagement, and service design.

Collaborate with Data Centre Operations, GPU Production, and Facilities teams to embed network requirements into regional planning.

Act as the regional voice of the customer within the global network organisation.

About You

10+ years of hands‑on network engineering experience, including at least 2 years in a senior or lead role managing teams and regional or multi-site infrastructure.

Deep technical knowledge across data centre networking, WAN edge, and connectivity engineering within hyperscale or large-scale data centre environments.

Proven experience with Nokia SR routing platforms, including BGP, VRF, and service segmentation.

Strong knowledge of cloud exchange platforms such as Megaport and Equinix Fabric and customer direct-connect services.

Experience managing carrier and vendor relationships across technical delivery, validation, and escalation.

Demonstrated ability to lead and develop network engineers while remaining hands‑on technically.

Strong commercial awareness and ability to translate network capabilities into customer and business value.

Experience with network automation including Ansible, Python, Network-as-Code, and CI/CD.

Comfortable working in Linux environments and using tools such as Git.

Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Experience

Regional carrier and connectivity market expertise relevant to EMEA, APAC, or the Americas.

Knowledge of major regional Internet exchanges and connectivity ecosystems.

Experience supporting hyperscale cloud or AI infrastructure environments.

Additional language skills relevant to the region are advantageous.

What we can offer you

At Nscale, you'll find a collaborative, supportive, and innovative environment where your contributions spark real impact. We're building something extraordinary, and we want you at the core.

Highly competitive package (base + equity) with reviews every 12 months.

Join one of the fastest-growing AI infrastructure companies — your opportunity to lead the networks connecting some of the world's most advanced AI infrastructure.

Expect a dynamic progression plan tailored to your ambitions. Lead high-performing engineering teams, build regional network infrastructure at scale, and influence Nscale's global network strategy.

Human-First Flexibility: We treat you as humans first. Our flexible workplace trusts Nscalers to deliver, giving you the autonomy to shape your day around life's moments.

We strongly encourage applications from people of colour, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, parents, carers, and people from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

If there's anything we can do to accommodate your specific situation, please let us know.

The responsibilities outlined in this job description are not exhaustive and are intended to provide a general overview of the position. The employee may be required to perform additional duties, tasks, and responsibilities as assigned by management, consistent with the skills and qualifications required for the role.

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